Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15107, Abishai Dunham, Mass. Privateer

SERVICE
Mass Privater
Dunham, Abisha
NUMBER _____
NUMBER S15107-
barded
CONTENTS

New York 20395.
Abishai (Dunham) of Oswego in the State of N.Y. who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Henry of the Regt commanded by Col. Atkinson in the State Troops line for Mass. and Providence
8. months ) and Aug. 10. 05
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 26. Dollars 66. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4. day of Sept. 1833 and sent to Schuyler Crippen, Ancestors Oswego
  Arrears to the 4th of Sept. '33.  66.  65.    Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 34  13  33    $  79  98.  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by F.F. Francis Clerk, Book Co. Vol. 4. Page 54

State of New York
Otsego County ss:
On this fifteenth day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Otsego Now Sitting Abishai Dunham a resident of the Town of Decatur in the County of Otsego and State of New York Aged Seventy Nine years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following Named Officers and Served as herein stated - That in the Month of May 1775 he volunteered into a Company of Militia at Martha's Vineyard Island in Dukes County Massachusetts Commanded by Capt. Matthew Merry of said Island and Lieut. Cornelius Norton, and in a Regiment Commanded by Col. James Atkins that he was Stationed on said Island in said Company of Militia and served for at least six Months. and that he at that time resided on said Island and was called into service under Capt. Merry at the time above stated for the purpose of guarding the Island and preventing the British from landing, and plundering the property of the inhabitants - And he further states that said six months service was rendered at different times commencing in May 1775 and continuing one year and four Months - he cannot state the precise length of time which he served at each time he was called into actual service during the said sixteen Months - but he is positive that he did serve in said Company at least six months as above mentioned - And he also saith that some time in the Month of October 1775 - he entered the service as a Substitute for David Dunham his brother in a Company of Continental Troops Commanded by Capt. Nathan Smith and Lieutenant Jeremiah Manton - in a Regiment Commanded by Colonel Beriah Norton. That he joined said Company at Tisbury in Dukes County Massachusetts and continued in actual service in said Company & Regiment, Stationed at Lovers Cove on Martha's Island for the period of two Months and to the expiration of the time for which his brother enlisted into said Company - and was then discharged from service -

And he further declares that he entered the service Naval Service on Board of a privateer Hoop Called the Charming Sally Commanded by Capt Francis Brown and served therein as is particularly specified and set forth in his declaration and oath herunto annexed, signed by him and sworn to before James S. Campbell on the 6 th day of May 1888 who was at that time a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County of Otsego - And also that all the facts and circumstances stated in said declaration and oath then signed by him and sworn to before said James S. Campbell as his Judge as aforesaid, are in all respects true - and to which said Oath and declaration he now refers, the same being herunto annexed - And he further declares that Peter Merry whose oath is herunto also annexed is now dead, that he the said Peter Merry signed the same and made oath thereto at the time and in the manner therein mentioned - And also for further proof of his services in the Navy as set forth in the papers herunto annexed he also refers to his Commission as Prize Master which is also herunto annexed - And he further states that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his services, except what is herunto annexed - And he further states that he was born on Martha's Island in the Town of Tisbury, in Dukes County Massachusetts in the year One thousand seven hundred and fifty three - And that he now has in his possession a Record of his age entered in his Ancient family Bible - That he lived at Tisbury aforesaid at each time he was called into the service as herein set forth, and continued to reside there until the year 1805 when he moved into the Town of Florida in the County of Montgomery in the state of New York - at which place he lived one year - and then removed into the County of Otsego in the town where he now lives - and where he has continued to reside from the time he removed from the Town of Florida as above stated - That he never received any written discharge from the service according to the present recollection and belief - And he further states that

That he is well known to Col Robert C. Lansing, Charles Barrows James S Steward, Charles Kagle — of his present neighbourhood who can testify to his character for rectitude and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution — and he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or gratuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency of any State — Abishai Dunham
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid — Horace Lathrop, Clerk.
We Charles Barrows James S Steward and Charles Kagle all residing in the Town of Decatur in the County of Otsego and State of New York, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abishai Dunham who has subscribed his name to the above declaration; That we believe him to be seventy nine years of age; That he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion, — and that he is a man who sustains a fair character for truth and veracity
Sworn to and subscribed the 13th day of October 1832 — Before me
Charles Barrows James S Steward Charles Kagle
Daniel Hotchkiss Justice of the peace
We Robert C. Lansing James S Steward both residing in the Town of Decatur in the County of Otsego and State of New York certify that we are well acquainted with

Abishai Dunham who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion - And that he sustains a good character for truth and veracity.
Sworn to & subscribed } Robert G. Langdon the day & year aforesaid } James Stewart Horace Lathrop, Clerk.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after hearing the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further certify that it appears that Robert G. Langdon and John L. Stewart who have signed the above certificate and sworn to the same are residents in the town of Deering in the county of Otsego and state of New York and in the neighborhood of the said applicant and that they are credible persons and their statements are entitled to credit.
J. D. Moon
Seth Chan
J. Page
State of New York
Otsego County ss.
I, Horace Lathrop, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the said county do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Abishai Dunham for a pension, and I do further certify that Daniel Maternan, before whom the preceding purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a justice of the Peace in & for the said county, & that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe the name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing & signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 18 th day of October 1832.
Horace Lathrop, Clerk.

no 160 63 Abisha Dunham A B
c. c. m.
This old man actually suffers for the want of his pension for his daily support. He is really very poor, and I have no doubt a meritorious applicant.
I hope his case may be determined with as little delay as possible.
S. Crippen
Admitted
Pension 8 months
Schuyler Crippen Agent Worcester, Otsego County New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjunctive notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Nishai Dunham, of Olsego Co New York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers, of Ships or other Vessels. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Volun 1775 1 Private First Com. Lieut. Col. Matthew Merry Col. Thos. C. H. or Thos. C. H. Lumber Dukes Co. NY. Machack. Age 79 Traditionary, as to Military Service & Documentary, as to his Naval Service   Subs. 1775 2 Capt. Nathan Smith - Lieut. Jeremiah Hance Col. Beriah Norton   *Entered 1776 4 Brigade Major Brig. Capt. Francis Brown Brig. Genl. Lord Howe - Charming Sally   *Entered 1776 9 Lieut. Col. Master Joseph Sudds, Lieut. Col. Master Brig. Genl. Lord Howe - Sloop Greenwich  
*It appears by the papers that he entered in Jan 1777 instead of 1776 as above stated
X The Papers show that he entered in Oct 1776 and continued to January 1777 - which makes two months at least instead of No time as noted
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Look at paper - entered Oct 1776 continued to January 1777 - which must have been at least two months.
from 1775 at least 6 months - but cannot specify the time of each time of service

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers, the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I, _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deponeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Service on board privateers not provided for.
This rule applies to the two months service on board of the Chesapeake.
Applied by additional afft of declarant -
dupl. etc.
declarant testifies that he never received any written discharge - vide reference in margin of declaration

15107 INVALID.
err
File No. 151, 107
Abishai Dunham
Prim. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 105
[Arrangement of 1870.]

In Congress.
The Delegates of the United Colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New Castle, Kent & Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia To all unto whom these Presents shall come, send Greeting. Know Ye.
That we have granted, and by these Presents do grant Science & Authority to Francis Brown Mariner, Commander of the Ship called the Charming Sally, of the Burthen of One Hundred & Sixteen Tons or Thereabouts, belonging to Isaac Sears & Others of New Haven in the Colony of Connecticut, mounting six Carriage Guns & Navigated by Fifty Men, to fit out and sell forth the said Ship in a Warlike manner, and by & with the said Ship and the Crew thereof, by force of Arms, to attack seize & take the Ships, and other Vessels belonging to the Inhabitants of Great Britain, or any of them, with their Tackle Apparel Furniture and Lading, on the High Seas, or between high water and low water Marks & to bring the same to some convenient Port in the said Colonies, in Order that the Courts which are or shall be there appointed to hear and determine Causes civil and maritime, may proceed in due form to condemn the said Captures, if they be Adjudged lawful Prize, the said Francis Brown having given Bond with Sufficient Sureties, that Nothing be done by the said Ship Charming Sally or by any of the Officers, Mariners, or Company thereof contrary to, or inconsistent with the Usages and Customs of Nations, and the Instructions a Copy of which is herewith delivered to him. And we will & require all our Officers whatsoever to give Succour and Assistance to the said Francis Brown in the Premises. This Commission shall continue in force untill the Congress shall issue Orders to the Contrary.
True Copy of my Commission
Dated at Providence in the State of Rhode Island and given under my Hand and the Seal of the said State, this Eighth Day of Feb: in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred & Seventy Six.
By his Honour's Command
Henry Ward Secy
Nich: Cooke Gov.
By Order of the Congress
signed John Hancock President
To all unto whom these Presents shall come, know ye that Francis Brown Commander of the Ship Charming Sally have constituted & appointed Nicholas Dunham Prize Master of the Vessels Hannah, Henry, Priscilla, & the Mary, now in his Service.
Given under my Hand

To The Hon. John C. Calhoun Secretary of the War Department of the United States.
The Petition & declaration of Heishai Dunham of the Town of Decatur in the county of Onondaga & State of New York a resident citizen of the United States aged sixty four years & upwards on oath saith & declares that in the month of October 1776 he enlisted as a prize master on board of the private armed vessel called the Charming Sally. Francis Brown Esquire commanded. immediately Thereafter sailed on a cruise on board of said vessel which called the Charming Sally. and in the month of January following they made a prize of the Brig Hannah, on board of which said prize this said Heishai was put, as prize

Master & brought the said prize into the port of Boston. And he further says that in the month of November following he entered as a sailing master on board of the private armed Vessel called the Sloop Greenwich & immediately thereon sailed on a cruise, & after they had run out about three months, the said Sloop Greenwich (Joseph Gardner Esq. commander) was taken by the British Frigate Maidstone & carried into Newport in Rhode Island which was then in the possession of the British. And he the said Heishai on oath further declares that after he was brought into New port as aforesaid, he was kept & detained as a prisoner for space of six months.

when he was exchanged. making the time he served on board said privateer & the time of his imprisonment as aforesaid, both together rising of nine months. & he further says that both the said Joseph Gardner & the said Francis Brown were commissioned by as Commissioners by the Congress of the United States or Colonies in Congress assembled, and he further says that when he was put on board said prize as aforesaid he was furnished by the said Captain Francis Brown with a copy of his the said Brown's Commission & an appointment of Prize Master. which was in here annexed marked (A).
And he further says that he does not now know that he

State of New York } Personally appeared before me Daniel Waterman Otsego County ss: } a Justice of the Peace of Said County, Abishai Dunham of the Town of Decatur, known to me to be the same Person who made and subscribed the declaration hereunto annexed - And who being duly sworn doth depose and say, that by reason of Old Age and Consequent loss of memory, he Cannot swear positively to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades that is to say - For six Months I served as a private in Capt. Merry's Company - For two months I served as a private in Capt. Smith's Company - For nine months I served as a Sailing Master on Board the Hoop Hoop Greenwich, including the time I was a Prisoner taken by the British and detained in custody as such Prisoner - For two months I served as Prize Master on board the Privateer Ship, Charming Sally - in all making nineteen months - and for such service I claim a Pension - And the said Abishai Dunham further saith that no Clergyman resided in his neighborhood at the time he made his original declaration which is hereunto annexed - And that no Clergyman is now residing in said neighborhood, which is the reason why I did not and cannot obtain the certificate of a Clergyman as directed by the instructions of the War Department -
Sworn to & subscribed this } 24 th day of May 1833 } before me - }
Abishai Dunham
Daniel Waterman Justice of the peace

In the matter of Abishai Dunham a Soldier of the Revolution
18083
S. Grippin
v.

State of New York Otsego County
ss: I, Horace Southrop, Clerk of the said County, do certify, that Daniel Waterman Esquire, before whom the within Affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County of Otsego: and that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavit, to be his proper hand writing & signature. Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 25 th day of May 1833.
Horace Southrop. Clerk.